One Staff Member Killed After Explosion At Cañon City Correctional Facility

Published Dec. 4, 4:44 p.m. | Updated Dec. 5, 4:34 p.m.

A staff member at the Fremont Correctional Facility in Cañon City died Wednesday afternoon following a boiler explosion.

On Thursday, the staff member was identified as 28-year-old Sgt. Joshua Voth. He had worked with the Colorado Department of Corrections since 2016 and taught prisoners trade skills at the Fremont Correctional Facility.

“Our DOC family is devastated by this loss, and we are praying for all of this staff member's loved ones,” a statement from Dean Williams, executive director of the facility, read. “Our primary focus at this time will be supporting the staff member's family and our DOC team as we navigate this tragedy together." 

Lt. Shane Roberts with Cañon City’s Area Fire Protection District said firefighters responded to the explosion at the East Cañon Complex just before noon. Firefighters and medics treated one person and transported them to the hospital.

Roberts said he does not know what the cause of the explosion is and there were no additional injuries.

The identity of the staff member has not been released.